Official VAIO SR Series Owners Thread

What'd you get it for?

 

Whats up guys, mine shipped yesterday too. I have a question tho. I ordered mine with 1gb and ordred 4gb pack from newegg. Should i install the 4gb before i turn on my laptop?....esplanation would be nice. In my last laptop when i upgraded all i did was insert it and i was done. is that what i have to do here..thanks.

 

i got mine SR13GN/B (seems to be the equivalent of the SR16GN in Australia since it comes with a HD3470 as well) in Singapore for $2324SGD tax free (with a carry case included), equivalent to about $1800 AUD. But since I brought the entire box and declared it, I had to pay an extra $138 AUDin GST, so that ended up being $1938AUD all up .

just wondering does the SR16GN come with a centrino 2 sticker? or a core 2duo stickeR?

 

$1911 is the cost price in Australian retail for the SR16. But what's done is done. And yes it has a centrino 2 sticker.

 

I bought ram off newegg too. OCZ RAM 4GB. I was wondering that too... I know how to install the RAM, but I was wondering if I should install it first thing before powering it up for the first time... I don't want to confuse the BIOS or first start up..

How I do it:

1.Unplug power.
2.Remove battery
3.Unscrew the latch and remove panel
4.Ground myself
5.Take RAM out of package- careful only to handle the edges (green part) No touch gold connectors or black chips!
6. Open the latches of the RAM slots and pull existing ram out at an angle (30-45 ish degree)
7. Insert new ram at same angle
8. Click it down then replace the lid and screws

 

^^yea same here..anyone in this thread want to clarify when we should do this???

 

I would add the RAM after the initial machine boot up. That way you'll know if the machine works OK before the RAM upgrade. Sometimes replacement RAM is a bit finicky, and you don't want to be stuck wondering if there is a machine issue or a RAM issue if you have a problem on the first boot.

 

It makes no difference if you do it before or after the initial boot-up. The initial boot-up is more for Windows config, and you can actually replicate this initial boot-up by adjusting some registry keys. I haven't had any issues with Windows recognizing new RAM w/o any additional tweaking.

Personally, I would want to verify that nothing is wrong w/ the machine before you open her up and perform a quick kidney replacement on her.

 

I updated the question so that you get your bonus. You were the only SR Zealot that answered, but it was good feedback.

 

Yay! Someone from Australia! I'm SO excited! I want an SR so badly! I tried looking for dealers through the Sony site (I'm from Sydney), but nothing came up. I wish Harvey Norman displayed the products they had...

 

I'm so gay! I want my SR now! Looks like next week for sure for those who pre-ordered on sonystle! Only takes TWO days to get around mostly anywhere california (as they build in san diego, ca.) Getting mine on Monday if all goes as planned

 

I work there, ASK for the SR and they will bring it out. They wont display it until they clear the old stock. Lookswise the SR/FW kills all the other ones, and most Vaio customers are looks oriented. Make sure you call first and get a price, they always quote cost price over the phone ($1911 for the SR16).

 

SR's coming this week for us pre-orders! I get mine tomorrow if the delivery goes as scheduled (which it is so far)!!!

my g/f said she will take pics of me opening it!!

 

Hey guys, I went to another SonyStyle stote today to take another look at the FW. I'm still leaning strongly towards the FW, but wow, I couldn't help but notice how nice the screen is on the SR. It simply blows the FW Eco screen away! I kinda like the mouse buttons on the SR better too.

Anyway... congrats to those that are getting an SR. Nice little laptop you've got there!

 

guys, not pretty sure...the sr has a ati 3470 graphics card option, right? because the models on sonystyle.com does not have the ati cards. the 3470 card is supposed to be better than the nvidia 9300? thanks heaps.

 

Yep 3470 > 9300.

 

ah cool....and the fact tht the sr is reasonably priced makes it tempting....the newegg offer is pretty good.

 

It's Monday, any pictures yet?? I have to wait until Wednesday or Thursday to get mine. Test it out and make sure you post on your impressions.

Thanks!

 

on delivery truck

 

Can't we have you taking pictures of your g/f opening it?

No no just kidding, i want to see you too...

 

LoL. Okay. Well these were my g/fs (yes FOUR) when I got my new laptops some time ago...

 

Ok well it came in! It came late and my g/f left already.. damn fedex shipped it last minute even though it was ready at 5:45 AM.

Well I'll do my best with my camera phone

 

anyone know approximately when retailers get the x4500 SR laptops?

 

Mnm, I placed my order on the SR earlier.

I notice now that the SR has just now Sold out on Newegg. Good thing I did it when I did I hope! (I hope that they did that because I ordered one of the last ones they had! I'd be really sad if I had to wait or was too late. =[)

 

I would guess mid August. That is when Intel said the new chipsets would be released.

 

If I were to order an SR with the IGP, would I get it before the beginning of the 08-09 school year? School starts for me on Sept 2nd.

----------------
Now playing: Fable Main Theme demo
via FoxyTunes

 

It's possible, but the people that know aren't talking. Sony will probably have the models available for configuration around the middle of August, but who knows when the units will ship?

 

My SR is beautiful. It's so sexy and black. wow. I'm using it right now. Love the keyboard. So "light" and "airy" to type on. The screen is great...wow I'm impressed for being an ECO screen. The ATI card has cool menues to customize settings for 3D apps and allow 2nd monitors very easily, great!

The resolution is PERFECT. Wow..I've got 20/20 vision and this is just right.. anything smaller and I'm sorry..it would strain my eyes. It's on borderline right now...So I use ctrl zoom to make things bigger.

The first thing I noticed was my SR can wrapped differently than the NEWEGG ones. Alot better IMO and more careful. Pics in a minute... I'm running only on 1 GB ram right now...just getting things settled then I'll install my 4 GB.

The only complaint so far is the DVD tray scrapes when you slide it open, WTF. They could have allowed for better support of the tray, but it's minor (for now..don't want to see 2 years form now when its all scuffed)

 

lol. yea the dvd drive is really flimsy when opened and it scrapes, but im not worried because i rarely use it anyway.

 

Duke do you have the extended battery by any chance?

----------------
Now playing: TAPPY, Harry Gregson-Williams - "Metal Gear Solid" Main Theme
via FoxyTunes

 

Hey, that's the way refurbished models ship. It is a better way to ship...less rubbing against cardboard.

 

I do not have the extended battery, sorry! I just installed 4 GB RAM ocz, very fast and beautiful.

9 second boot to home screen anybody? And I am dead serious.

My FZ used to take 1 minute-1.5 minutes. Don't know what was up with that.

New gripes: The flap that covers the Ethernet is annoying as hell. I use ethernet here at home and its annoying to open the flap b/c it doesnt come out all the way. It's manageable but annoying.

Also, the headphone jacks are located oddly Left side=good but behind the fan and near the power cord = annoying.

 

9 seconds aint bad. What was the specs on your machine again? Did you do a clean install?

 

No clean install whatsoever. I have not uninstalled anything yet. This was the 3rd time I booted up.

2.4 Ghz P8600

4 GB ocz DDR2 PC6400 RAM

160 GB Harddrive 5400 RPM

ATI GPU

 

Oh my gosh! Are you serious?! That sounds amazing. I wish mine had the better processor, but I'll live. I'm used to having slow computers anyway. Anything I get will be better than what I have now.... And what my Aunt has now. (She has a Vaio NR lol)

(Well, this iMac doesn't count. It starts pretty fast and shuts off pretty fast. My ancient Dell shuts off in like, 7 seconds, but that doesn't count either.)

 

9 seconds, dang thats nice. I've been to 2 bestbuys already, neither have SR yet, only the FW.

 

I was gonna get the P8400, do you think yours boots up so fast because of the RAM or the processor?

 

My guess would be probably a mixture of both. The SR with the P8400 will probably boot somewhat slower than his with the P8600 with 3-4 GB of ram I have a feeling.

Man, that sounds awesome though. xD

 

It still booted up rather quickly with 1 GB RAM. Like around 20 seconds from when I did a quick count the first 2 times i booted. I think it's a combo of Vista's new service pack and improved RAM speed..perhaps CPU as well because my FZ has only 2.0 Ghz CPU.

I JUST noticed something awesome!! Sony included an icon in the task bar allowing you to right click and disable the DVD/CD drive to save power. Very nice to have there since I never use it.

I don't know if it's just firefox or what but theres a tiny popup that tells when if i have caps lock on or off, wtf? lol whatever...

 

Oh and the speakers are terrible. Worst part of the notebook, IMO. The sound they produce sounds like its comming from tin cans. WTH Sony? I thought you made quality audio?

However, the headphone output is flawless.

 

Lol, They make quality audio when it's not a 13" laptop. xD It's not an entertainment laptop, either. It's just a it works for what you want to do but listen to music loudly. xD

Sounds like I may want to stick with using the PSP as a music player then... Thing has some nice little speakers for being in a room by myself (minus the fact that the bass is only audible from like, 3 CM from the speakers).

Glad to hear that the Crapware isn't too bad on the system though... Or did yours come with any? xD

 

Not much. A bunch of pop up stuff like VAIO helper, windows sidebar, VAIO something center, ect... AOL crap was all shortcuts to IE, no programs. Not much crapware as much as before.

FYI
I will be testing Hitman Blood Money soon for performance

 

Ah, well, that's not too bad. Maybe they're finally starting to let go of that and deal with the fact that they won't be making UBER profit... With their already almost overpriced computers. xD

Not bad though... Maybe I won't have to make a recovery CD for reinstalling it as soon as I get it. =D

 

9 sec bootup is awesome!! Could you possibly get a vid of it?

 

9 seconds!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Is that even possible?

Geeeeeez... do you mean 9 seconds from when you press the power button to you see the home screen?

That's crazy fast! Wow...

 

Would it be possible for you to upload a video of your SR booting up?

I would greatly appreciate it.

 

9 sec aint possible. I'd reckon it wud be around a minute for a complete boot on vista with 5400rpm hdd. Vista is damn slow to bootup u see.

 

well no, sorry that's just not happening. i was surprised too, but it is what is is..a fast bootup, why? I don't know. Do I care? No. Do I need to prove anything? No. Why? Because i'm the one reaping the benefits and proving it would waste time and accomplish nothing.

By the way it went up to 20-25 seconds after i installed avira, comodo firewall and configured my fingerprint reader as well as other program installtions

 

Apparently the Fedex driver has had the pedal to the floor. I logged in today and my Sony SR is "On FedEx vehicle for delivery". No one is home to sign for it, so I'll stop home at lunch and try to get home right after work. Maybe I'll get lucky. If not, I have to wait until tomorrow or Thursday.

Has anyone partitioned the hard drive using Vista? I've heard there may be issues there. I'll have a multi-boot system: Linux, Vista and XP Pro. I'll have to see how difficult it may be to install drivers.

--
Sony Vaio SR, CTO
P8600, 2.40GHz
4MB RAM
ATI 3470

 

ECCKKSSSS PEEEEEEEEEEE
Windows XP.

SOMEONE!